Weekend Playlist

There's just too much good music out there to not make a weekend playlist. Well, I'm off for Amsterdam, finally. CHEERS!




http://dc244.4shared.com/download/iSWbNb1t/California_Sunrise.mp3



Black Eyed Peas- The Time (Dirty Bit remix)
De La Soul- Rock Co. Kane Flow Feat. MF Doom
Soulwax- A Fifth of Beethoven
Crystal Castles- Not In Love feat. Robert Smith
DJ KPAC- Pappa's Teardrop (Biggie vs. Massive Attack
Deadmau5- Sofie Needs a Ladder
The Bloody Beetroots- Fuck From Above 1985
Kanye West-Lost In The World ft. Bon Iver
Dirty Gold- California Sunrise
I Blame Coco- Only Love Can Break Your Heart

2010 Top 100 DJs Poll

Last night was DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs announcement party in London. Unfortunately, I couldn't go because I had to write two papers. The best news about the results is that Deadmau5 moved up two spots from number 4 to number 6. That is huge! I am definitely bewildered by Armin van Buuren. This is his fourth year in a row as the number one DJ. I think he is a very talented trance DJ, but I don't really see his music as anything that amazing or fantastic especially not to warrant four best DJ awards in a row. There's also a serious misrepresentation of dubstep on the list.  Whatever, here's the top ten.

1 Armin van Buuren (non-mover)

2 David Guetta (up 1)

3 Tiesto (down 1)

4 Deadmau5 (up 2)

5 Above & Beyond (down 1)

6 Paul van Dyk (down 1)

7 Gareth Emery (up 2)

8 Markus Schulz (non-mover)

9 Ferry Corsten (down 2)

10 Axwell (up 4)

To see the rest of the list click here. 

In celebration of Deadmau5's move, listen:

  Deadmau5 vs Z - Sometimes Things Get Complicated by DJZ

Deadmau5 - Strobe by musicismysunshine

Kanye West- Runaway short film

Earlier in the week Kanye released a 30 minute short film called "Runaway." It's basically about him falling in love with a phoenix-girl creature and exposing her to the corruption of the world. In essence its a 30 minute music video, but it is so artistically done and epically beautiful that it's definitely worth a look. There are moments that will give anyone goosebumps.



It also got me really excited for the release of his new album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" which is slated for release on Nov. 22nd. Here are some of the songs that have already been released:

Kanye West - Lost In The World [HQ] by Urban Islandz

Kanye West - Runaway (INTRO) by SayChris3x

Kanye West - Monster (Feat Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, BonIver) by WNYorker

Skrillex- Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

        One of the first blog posts on Music of Manny was Skrillex's first EP "My Name is Skrillex." I had just discovered his unbelievable intense dubstep after Deadmau5 posted a link to his EP. Skrillex has been busy since then and has just released an album, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites."
       The album sounds just like the title-- it is in a sense a battle between scary monsters and nice sprites. It contrasts from songs like "Kill Everybody" and "Scatta" whose growling wompiness almost seem to be screaming at you to peaceful, house-y songs like "All I Ask of You" and "With You Friends" that feature angelic voices. The title song has this theme running throughout. The beginning has this light and airy beat and then suddenly this wompy beast comes in and the two sounds interchange throughout the track.
       Overall, this album is great. The fact that Skrillex was able to juxtapose the two sounds- Sprite and Monsters- shows that he's definitely been developing his skills since his first EP. Also, it's not as overwhelming as an album of pure Skrillex womp would be, but instead this album is an exhilarating battle of the forces.

He's also on tour! Check it out @myspace.com/skrillex
The album is out exclusively now on Beatport

Skrillex- Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Pretty Lights- Glowing in The Darkest Night EP

    New Pretty Lights EP. Listen. That's all I really need to say. If you've ever heard a Pretty Lights song, you'll know what I mean. Anything new by Pretty Lights is a definite must hear.
     This final installment in his 2010 EP trilogy is much more upbeat but less of mind-voyage than the last EP. The songs are shorter and they pack a lot of energetic, stomach-churning electro-jazz. I've said too much already. Just listen. and download the full EP free at prettylightsmusic.com

  Pretty Lights - Glowing In The Darkest Night by Thissongissick.com

Interview with Ashes

Here is the first Music of Manny interview. It's with the Canadian dubstep producer/DJ, Ashes. The first Ashes track I heard was Dubvine (a Marvin Gaye remix) and it still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. So here's the down low on the next big dubstepper. Cheers.
  Dubvine by Ashes

What programs/hardware do you use for DJing and for producing? 

Production Software: Ableton, Massive, Sylenth, Vintage Warmer, Ozone, Toraverb, Camelphat

Production Hardware: MacBook Pro 2.4, KRK V8 Series 2 monitors, KRK 10S sub, Saffire LE, Novation RemoteSL25, Korg padKontrol

Dj Hardware: Pioneer CDJ-350's, DJM350, Sony MDRv700's

What do you enjoy making more remixes or original songs? How does the process differ?

It all depends on my mood. I find remixes are typically easier to finish quickly which is what I'm all about. I have a really short attention span so getting things done quickly is the most important thing to me. Plus when you have great material to work with you're not struggling to find ideas - they're already there and you just need to expand on them.

On the other hand I find writing original tunes to be more rewarding in the end. You can sit back and say "I did all of that" and not feel like you were just riding on the coattails of a good tune.

You mentioned in another interview that most dubstep annoys you. Why is this? What specific aspects are annoying?

Most of it is just squelchy, repetitive, emotionless shit. I like chord progressions, melodies, huge loud bass, 80hz kicks and 200hz snares, splashy high end and a drop that makes the girls toes curl.

Are there any dubstep artists you enjoy/respect?

Absolutely. I would say that Nero best exemplifies the kind of dubstep that gets me going. Flux Pavillion, Bar9, 16bit and 501 have also been putting out some bangers lately.

What is it about dubstep that attracted you to start making it?

I was listening to my buddy Losh spin a dubstep set and he dropped Giant - Drumstick. It was the first dubstep track I heard that I actually liked. I liked it so much that I wanted to see if I could remake the sounds in the tune so I did a remix/cover of it. I had a lot of fun making it and I got a lot of good feedback on the tune so I just kept making dubstep.

How is making dubstep different from making drum and bass and other types of music?

I don't approach making dubstep any differently than I do Drum and Bass. The process always changes so that tunes don't all sound the same (hopefully).

What do you want people to get out of your music? How do you want them to feel?

When I make music I try to think of a specific place, mood and action (like a scene out of a movie) and write a soundtrack to go along with it. My goal is to put the listener in that space.

When you are about to begin making a song do you envision what it’s going to sound like before you start or does it just take form as you start working on it?

Sometimes I have a very specific theme that I want to follow. Other times I just start messing around until something starts to develop.

How do you decide what songs go into your DJ sets. Do you mostly play your own music?

The goosebump test. If it gives me goosebumps it goes on the shortlist. Once it's on the shortlist I try mixing it with a few tunes and if it sounds good I keep it. Sometimes I have to bring the tune into Ableton and fix the structure of the tune so it's mixable. For some reason dubstep producers like dropping tunes at the most random times so double dropping can be very difficult.

I recently started learning how to use Ableton live, what advice do you have for a beginning DJ/producer?

Watch YouTube tutorial videos. There are some really good ones out there.

What music have you been listening to lately? Any artists people need to know about?

I discovered Pretty Lights recently. Seriously epic music. I listen to a lot of indie rock type stuff too. Broken Social Scene, Foals, The Black Keys, Broken Bells, Empire of the Sun, etc.

Favorite Artist and why?

If I had to pick one I would probably say Pendulum. They changed the face of Drum and Bass. They definitely dropped the ball on that Rock and Bass album they did. Absolute shite. That aside though they do incredible work.

What’s the next step? What do you plan to do? What music do you want to make in the future?

The next step is making music full time. Money is starting to roll in from commissioned remix projects so it's becoming a viable option. I'll probably stick to broken beats (dnb, dubstep, breaks) but I'd also like to work as a producer with a rock group eventually.

  Grimey by Ashes

  Down and Dirty Vol 1 by Ashes

Bassnectar- Wildstyle EP

  This EP makes me so happy and so ready to rage (womp styley). The first two tracks are dubstep/hip hop thumpers that it would be impossible to listen to and not do the womp-womp (improvised dubstep dance). Wildstyle Method is by far my favorite--everytime I hear it, I smile and start flailing my arms (unintentionally)--this song will not get old.
    After the first two ragers, there is a brief intermission with the chill song, "Falling". This song is what would happen if Radiohead decided to make dubstep. It's intense and sad, but a really good song if you're into that sort of mood.
    Then, we have another rager "The 808 Track" which is dank (of course). Next, we are brought back into a chill mode with "Underwater." I think this song sounds like the enchantment songs of a mermaid deep in the ocean. It pulls you in and four minutes later you forget what just happened. This album is just full of Bassnectar magic in all of its forms.

Buy the album here. 

 And here's a preview of all the songs. Enjoy.

  Wildstyle EP by Bassnectar

  Bassnectar- Wildstyle Method (Radio Edit) [FREE DOWNLOAD] by Bassnectar

Fall Break Update from Hogan

I've left Manny hanging on posts for a long time. I'm at home on fall break so I felt like I could post a hodgepodge of some shit I've been listening to recently that I think others might enjoy. I'm gonna be all over the place here so keep up...

First up is of course one of my favorite singer-songwriter, Sufjan Stevens' new work off of his new LP "The Age of Adz". The album is riddled with wacky electronic instrumentation on top of his trademark strong orchestral/choral combination. "Too Much" is a good example.

Sufjan Stevens - Too Much by strikegently

Next we go to Brooklyn electro-rap artist Theophilus London with "Humdrum Town". The song isn't that new by any means, but I don't think it got as widespread of a reception as it deserves. It features a Futurecop! sample and what I believe is an homage to The Smiths in the chorus. Pretttyy prettty pretty catchy.

Theophilus London - Humdrum Town by ChoiceCuts

Lets change pace with some crazy ass Electro House I heard on the top rated on soundcloud. Its a remix by a group I've never heard of a song I've never heard by another group I've never heard. Just listen, its worth it, trust me. It'll get you ready for any party night.

Swanky Tunes - Across the Light (PeaceTreaty Remix) by PeaceTreaty

WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO LISTEN TO DUBSTEPPPPP????!!!! This song is durrrty though. And I know Manny loves him some Skrillex remixes. Hopefully he hasn't heard this one yet. Remix of some Top 40 song I'm not aware of.

iSQUARE - HEY SEXY LADY - SKRILLEX REMIX by DAVE RENE

Let's move to Australia with a group called the Hilltop Hoods. I credit my friend Mac with this recommendation, "The Nosebleed Section". Again not new, but people need to hear it.

The Nosebleed Section by future reflections

And lets end on even more chill note with "Aminals" by Baths. My friend Sean Thomas showed me this one first while I was "unconscious" apparently. Good way to end the night.

Baths - Animals by XXY

The Wompy Weekly

Last night I went to this amazing music event called Culture Clash. It was a bass music competition at this theatre in Camden called Roundhouse. In each corner of the circular theatre there was a posse representing a different type of bass music. In one corner there was the dub crew Channel One Soundsystem, in another there was the reggae crew Soul Jazz Records, then there was the defending champion drum and bass crew Metalheadz, and finally (my personal favorite) Skream and Benga and Co. Every corner switched off DJ's for each round of the competition and had an MC that talked shit about the other teams and rapped or sang along to some of the music. It was awesome to see so many different kinds of bass music in one place. I've never been a fan of drum and bass, but, Metalheadz rocked and I gained a knew found interest of the genre. But, they were no match for the dankness of dubstep because the crowd raged the hardest to Skream and Benga everytime they played. I'll blog more about this event when I can find some videos (I forgot my camera). For now though, here's your weekly dose of heavenly wompiness.


Filth Collins- You Used To
Magnetic Man- Fire Ft. Ms. Dynamite
Hot N Cold (Pyrodrifter Dubstep Remix)
Skream- Fields of Emotion

Flux Pavilion- Lines In Wax EP

  

    The new Flux Pavilion EP, "Lines in Wax," is a must-download. It starts off with amazing energy with the title song that has some filthy British rapping along with Flux's dank dubstep. The next song, "Hold Me Close", takes out the rapping and increases the wompiness and keeps the energy flowing.
    Then, there's a slightly different new version of "I Can't Stop." The first song I heard by Flux Pavilion was "I Can't Stop" and it is classic. This sounds weird,  but every time I hear this song I feel like my mind is taking a shower because in the song the wompiness sounds like its raining down on you with an all encompassing massage of bass.
   Finally, there's a chiller song called "Haunt You" which is kind of eerie but in a really cool kind of trance-inducing way. Overall, all these songs are worth checking out pronto.
Buy the album here.

  Flux Pavillion - Lines in Wax (Feat. Foreign Beggars) by TeeRaze

  Flux Pavilion - Hold Me Close by DubHead

This isn't the new version, but still dank.

  Flux Pavilion - I Can't Stop by GenerationElectro

  Flux Pavilion - Haunt You by ENSUPERTREND

Magnetic Man

Skream. Benga. Artwork. Magnetic Man.  Dubstep's first supergroup, Magnetic Man, just released their self-titled debut album  and it is incredible. The thing I like most about this album is how eclectic it is- while the main roots of the music are in dubstep, many of the songs could easily be mistaken for house and trance tracks. I've always thought that in order to be a truly great electronic artist, the ability to embrace multiple genres is essential. This album already has one epic dance floor hit, "I Need Air," and if you haven't heard it, put it on NOW. This album has plenty of dubstep wompiness like the kind of scary "The Bug", and "Anthemic" which is exactly what it says it is- a dubstep anthem, and many more. Then, it also has symphonic sounding songs like the first track, "Flying Into Tokyo," and it even has a passionate John Legend tune at the end. In short, this album has everything you could ever want-- dank dance tunes, dank womp, dank chillness-- I can't wait to hear more from this group.

Download the album on iTunes.

  I Need Air by Magnetic Man

  Perfect Stranger feat. Katy B by Magnetic Man

  Magnetic Man - Getting Nowhere (Feat. John Legend) by KiiNNNTeLL

My First Mashup

Even though I'm abroad, I've had a good amount of free time because my classes are so easy. With that time I decided to learn some music software because I've always wanted to be able to make music but just never had the time. Because I'm still a beginner and don't have any equipment, I can only make mash ups and simple beats. I'm not a fan of mash ups unless they are really unique and I don't want to brag, but, I think this is definitely something different. I took the lo fi remix of Bassnectar's "Timestretch" and paired it up with Biggie's "Suicidal Thoughts." They are both heavy songs and I feel like they work well together. The mashup is not perfect (I am still a noob), but let me know what you think and if you produce/dj-- give me some advice!

  Notorious vs. Bassnectar- Suicidal Thoughts On My Timestretched Mind (Manny Mashup) by manny24

Weekend Womp

As you may remember before Music of Manny took a hiatus, there was a "Weekend Playlist." I decided not to continue that tradition. Instead, to spice up everyone's weekend, I am starting a "Weekend Womp" that will feature a shortlist of dirty, wompalicious dubstep. It's not all going to be new music-- just whatever I'm feeling.

Specimen A- Cold As Ice
Bassnectar- Wildstyle Method
La Roux- Bulletproof (Chrispy Remix)
Giant- Drumstick (Ashes Remix)
Monster! Monster!- Died In Your Arms Tonight

The Chemical Brothers- Further

       Shortly before I left the States to travel Spain, I downloaded The Chemical Brothers new album, "Further." On my first listen, I was blown away and this album was basically all I listened to when I was in transit. Maybe its because I was flying in planes a lot when I first heard this album, but I like to think of this album as a plane taking off and landing. The album builds energy for a few minutes and then suddenly takes off and lets the listener have a flight of electro-explosion for a bit, but then it lands only to rebuild energy and take off again on the next track. The album never seems to lose steam and every time I listen to it, its like I'm listening to something new again because I find something else to appreciate.
      The first song on the album, "Snow," reminds me of Tiesto's "Kaleidoscope" and it is a slow and almost spiritual track that serves to enchant listeners before they go off on a musical journey. It's strange because some of the background music in the song would be terrible sounds alone--gritty computer beeps and radio static--but it all works and comes together to make a beautiful combination.
       After the opener the album you're on the bus. Two key stops along the way are, "Another World" which is another enchanting song and "Swoon" which is a disco-y electro anthem. This album is full of long songs and that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but, not listening to this album would be missing out on an amazing piece of musical genius.

Buy this album on iTunes

Chemical Brothers - Further by knackfocus_roularta

Also, this a sweet Bloody Beetroots remix of Dissolve:

  The Chemical Brothers - Dissolve (Bloody Beetroots Remix) by Nooizze

Diplo? Nice to meet you ; One day with Diplo

Hello musicofmanny lovers; how are you today?

Just recently I came across a 10 minute short about Wesley Pentz, better widely known as Diplo, the brain behind the hundreds of unbelievably dank (as Manny would say) remixes in the past 4 years, and of course Major Lazer's unmatched eclectic sound.

Diplo - Gold Digger remix by sleepys

Major Lazer & La Roux Present... LAZERPROOF by aymentv

The documentary film [BELOW] was created by Wing-Yee, a Swedish filmaker, for 8 Billion Lives (8billionlives.com). The result is a day in the life of Diplo; more specifically, Diplo's label Mad Decent's block party in Philadelphia. It is narrated in first person so a lot of what you hear is generally genuine. He highlights why his style has become what it sounds today, accounting anecdotes from his childhood, college days, working as a teacher and his relationship with his father.



A most interesting window into the life of one of today's most prominent DJ/Producers.


-cheers
-Robbie J / [SltSvr](?)

Constant Gets It In

 Check out this new jam by my dude Constant L. Burts. He samples Ratatat's "Gettysburg" and makes it a fucking epic hip hop flow. It takes a lot to use a classic Ratatat beat in a song and still do it justice, but in my opinion Constant pulled it off. DANK!

  Get It In ft. Jimmy Wells by Constant L. Burts

Gig Pub Discoveries

Last night I went to this awesome gig pub in Camden called Flowerpot. Everyone there was dressed in crazy vintage and rock n roll attire and had two goals: to rock out and get fucked up. As the lead singer of the first band (who was strung out on some sort of intense drugs) said, "My motto is to Get Amazing and Get Pissed." It was a cool place to spend the night. And the best part was that I found two awesome bands.

My favorite band of the night was this band out of Brighton called The Valentines. Their music reminds me of The Strokes. Their show was filled with energy and by the end, the crowd broke out into a psuedo-mosh dance mess. Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding a way to post the music on this site. But, check out their Myspace through the link below. Also, below is a Youtube video of them live, but, the sound quality is subpar.

Does She Make Noise (DEMO) by The Valentines



Another quality band from that night was The Munroes. They had a refreshing 60's rock sound and feel. At first I thought the bassist was Russell Brand because they look fuckin similar. Check out Rainbow Sun below and for more go to their Myspace.
  The Munroes: Rainbow Sun by Mbop Music